Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath had an unforgettable response to squandering his lead in the men’s slalom, where he had hoped — and was favored — to win the gold medal. He sailed off course after straddling the gate. After tossing each pole over the netting, McGrath climbed the fence on the sid e of the course to begin his long walk toward a forest. It was part of a meltdown that turned the men’s slalom into high-tragic theater Monday. “I don’t know any other sports where you can go from having such an advantage position to losing it within pretty much half a second,” McGrath said, adding that’s what likely makes alpine skiing so fun to watch. … It just really sucks when you stand in the middle of it.” var pymParent = new pym.Parent('olyLink8353', 'https://visuals.otsops.com/projects/milan-links-generator/visual-link.html?link=https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/mcgrath-melts-down-after-straddling-gate-mens-slalomtitle=McGrath%20melts%20down%20after%20straddling%20gate%20in%20men%27s%20slalomrand=8353image=https://images.nbcolympics.com/sites/default/files/post/short_form_video/2026/02/16/oly26_asmsl_hlf_7768_mcgrath_260216.jpg?impolicy=rect_medium_1024_576', {title: '', parenturlparam: '', parenturlvalue: ''}); McGrath had been racing with a heavy heart, with his grandfather dying the day of the opening ceremony. He wore an armband as a tribute. He said he has been struggling with his emotions since. “I was so proud of my first run today, considering everything, and when I don’t get anything out of it, that just stings a different way,” McGrath said. var pymParent = new pym.Parent('olyLink99', 'https://visuals.otsops.com/projects/milan-links-generator/visual-link.html?link=https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/mcgrath-discusses-emotions-after-slalom-meltdowntitle=McGrath%20discusses%20emotions%20after%20slalom%20meltdownrand=99image=https://images.nbcolympics.com/sites/default/files/post/short_form_video/2026/02/16/oly26_xx_hlf_7814_alpinesound_260216.jpg?impolicy=rect_medium_1024_576', {title: '', parenturlparam: '', parenturlvalue: ''}); As the first-run leader, McGrath was the last to go among the top-30 racers. He had a medal within his sights — until he straddled a gate and was out. He lost a medal and then control of his emotions in a race won by Loic Meillard of Switzerland. Once McGrath reached the forest, he sat down in the snow and then fell back, breathing heavily. A medical person came over to check on him. Eventually, he returned to the finish area and left without talking. ...read more read less